‘Come on my brave Fusiliers!’ 15 March 1781

Guilford Courthouse 15 March 1781
Along the first line:

  " As at Camden, the British went forward as soon as they were in line. Captain Peter led the 23rd on as acting commanding officer, with the regiment effectively in two wings under captains Saumarez and Champagne. As they went forward, one of them noticed the ‘field lately ploughed, which was wet and muddy from the rains which had recently fallen’.

On they trudged towards the fence that marked the end of Hoskins’ cornfield and the beginning of the woods to the fore, observing as they grew closer that the rails were lined with men. MacLeod’s cannon opened fire, sending their ball whooshing into the American lines. Colonel Webster, on horseback, trotted to the front of his brigade and called out so that all could hear, ‘Charge!’ The men began jogging forward, bayonets fixed and muskets levelled towards the enemy. A crackling fire from their left, Kirkwood’s riflemen, began knocking down a redcoat here or there, but did nothing to check their impetus.

When the British line was little more than 50 yards from the North Carolina militia everything seemed to stop for Serjeant Lamb: … it was perceived the whole of their force had their arms presented, and resting on a rail fence … they were taking aim with the nicest precision. At this awful period a general pause took place; both parties surveyed each other for the moment with the most anxious suspense … Colonel Webster spurred his horse to the head of the 23rd and bellowed out, ‘Come on my brave Fusiliers!’ Some of the Americans started to run, but most held on for a moment; there was a rippling crash of American musketry when the redcoats were at optimum range, 40 to 50 yards away. Dozens of Webster’s men went down as the musket balls cut legs from under them or smashed into their chests. Lieutenant Calvert worried for an instant how his men might react to such a heavy fire: ‘They instantly returned it and did not give the enemy time to repeat their fire but rushed on them with bayonets.’ Captain Saumarez noted with pride, ‘No troops could behave better than the regiment … they never returned the enemy’s fire but by word of command and marched on with the most undaunted courage.’..."


Quote from;
Fusiliers:  The saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution  by Mark Urban

The German Battalion 1776

  All too often when we research the history of our miniature regiments they are tales of heroic endeavors.    I am happy to state that this time, for this regiment that is not true.  The German Regiment was one of the worse regiments of the Continental army.  Described as "weak and imperfect" the battalion had disgraced itself in battle and  mutinied twice before being disbanded in 1780.  These were not the fault of its rank and file soldiers, but of its officer corp.

  When the British army, due to man power shortages hired German mercenaries the American colonies were outraged.  In retaliation a regiment of native born Germans was raised.  Recruited in Maryland and Pennsylvania the German Regiment was authorized in May 1776 as an additional Continental regiment.  Nicholas Haussegger was appointed as its first colonel and George Stricker it's Lt. Colonel.  Both men were at the center of the regiments first problems.

 While in barracks in Philadelphia in September 1776 lt. Col. Stricker ordered half rations for the men of the regiment who were not assigned to work details.  When men on the parade ground voiced displeasure Stricker called out armed soldiers and threatened to have the fire on the so called mutineers.  This did not change the situation and tempers simmered.

  Along with the 1st Continental line regiment (rifles) the German regiment was part of General Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy's brigade in late 1776.  They took part in the first Battle of Trenton.  Near the end of the battle the men of the regiment were heard to call out to the Hessians to surrender in german. 

  On New Years day Fermoy was sent to delay the advancing British.  His command was made up of his brigade ( German regiment and 1st Continental), Scott's Virginia brigade and two six pound guns.  After stopping the advance guard,  Cornwallis brought up heavy reinforcements the next day.  Fermoy, possibly under the influence of alcohol deserted his command.  In addition Haussegger and a number of his men contrived to get himself captured.  The regiment was said to have "disgraced itself." While a prisoner of the British Haussegger turned traitor and went over to the British side.

  During 1777 and 1778 the German regiment fought with the 1st Virginia brigade.  They served at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth.  In 1779 they saw service under John Sullivan in his expedition against the Iroquois.  During that year the regiment mutinied again.  This time about what it considered unfair enlistments.  Transferred out of the expedition, the regiment was disbanded in January 1780.

  For additional information I would recommend this outstanding article by Jack Weaver;

"Weak and Imperfect:” The German Regiment of the Continental Army
https://kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2017/09/weak-and-imperfect-german-regiment-of.html

  Uniform wise there is very little documentation.  Nothing for 1776 is known.  Because of this I have  fielded them in hunting shirts.  A common and inexpensive uniform option. Besides, The new Old Glory miniatures Figured in hunting shirt looks very nice. 

1st Pennsylvania battalion 1776

  Sometimes you paint certain regiments for historical reasons.  They fit a historical order of battle or were for a particular battle.  But no, not this time.  I painted this regiment only because I really like the uniform.  Back when I first found a copy of Charles Lefferts Uniforms of the American Revolution his watercolor of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion 1776 jumped out.

   Only later did I find out he made a error.  While he thought the uniform was a brown coat faced buff, it most certainly was brown faced green.  A very unusual combination but one that is very attractive.  So I just had to paint this regiment.

   The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion raised in November 1775 and commanded by Colonel John Bull.  In 1776 Colonel John Philip Dr Haas assumed command.  Under this officer the battalion saw service with the main army under Washington including fighting 1st Trenton and Princeton.  On October 25, 1776 the regiment was redesigned the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment.

  The figures are all Old Glory miniatures, second edition.  These are a great improvement in the original figures.  The regimental colors were photocopied off the internet.

More Continental line Infantry

  Next up on the painting table....more Continental Line Infantry!

  These will be for Stirling's and Fermoy's brigades during the e meme and winter of 1776.  I have changed the 1st Pennsylvania for the 3rd as I wanted the brown faced green uniform.   Otherwise here are the units with the brigades;  Delaware Regiment (Blue faced red with round hats), 1st and 5th Pennsylvania battalions (Brown coats faced green and faced red, mixed hats), the Pennsylvania Rifle/Musket battalion (Hunting shirts and coats Blue faced white),  the German battalion (Hunting shirts) and the 1st Continental Regiment (green hunting shirts).

  Figures are second edition Old Glory miniatures.  They come in regimental packs of 30+ figures.  And with a Old Glory Army card are very cost effective.  These are all second edition miniatures and a great improvement in the original miniatures.

"Men who are Determined to be Free": The American Assault on Stony Point, 15 July 1779

The Battle of Stony Point was a  exciting but forgotten battle of the American Rev War.  A  little midnight July 16, 1779, the American Corps of Light Infantry overran the British position at Stony Point on the Hudson River. In twenty-five minutes American forces captured over 500 British troops, fifteen artillery pieces, and over 100,000 continental dollars’ worth of goods. It was a victory celebrated at the time and made General Anthony Wayne's reputation.  But today few but enthusiastic buffs know about it.  Sadley, fewer have taken the time to write about.  But those that have have done outstanding works and include Don Loprieno’s The Enterprise in Contemplation: The Midnight Assault on Stony Point, and Henry P. Johnston’s The Storming of Stony Point on the Hudson. Because these are difficult to find books the reading public has had a difficult time finding good material to learn about this fascinating battle.  "Men Who Are Determined to be Free" corrects this and provides the reader with a handy reference to this battle.  



      The author begins his coverage of the by describing the strategic situation in 1778. While this may feel somewhat unnecessary to some. I think it relates  the battle to the time and explains why both sides operated  as they did.  It explains the creation and development of the American Corp of Light Infantry.  It also tells the tale of how Anthony Wayne was picked for the assignment, and why he may have been the most experienced man for the job.  Lastly it explains the strategic and operational constraints that Sir Henry Clinton and the British were under.  Already the French alliance with America was hovering a effect.  British troops were being striped away for operations elsewhere and Clinton just did not have the manpower sir William Howe once had.  Not did he have Howe's operational freedom.



   The book contains a good amount of pictures, including many of the modern  battlefield. Throughout the book the reader can follow operations by the numerous maps.  Unlike many military history books this one does contain many useful ones.  Both the author and the publisher should be transistor this.


   Lastly, the book is a very good read and full of ideas for a miniature battle.  The details of night fighting and the confusion it causes is discussed.  How to translate this to the table top is another matter and one I have been working on for Refighting Lundy's Lane.  

Stone Walls

  It is the little things you add to your table top that brings it alive.  It is also terrain features which add tactical nuances to a scenario.  Fences, both wood and stone are common terrain items for my Rev War and War of 1812 battles.  I have plenty of split rail fences I picked up at Cold Wars many years ago.  Now I needed some stone walls for my terrain.  This is especially true as I want to fight Pell's Point later in the year and they play a prominent role their.

  I picked up a bunch of stone walls on Amazon recently.  Three pieces with gates and thirty straight wall pieces.  At about six inches per wall, that is a bunch of walls!  But, like books, beer and ammunition you can never have too many walls.  These were paid for by a gift card I got from work as a reward for a job well done.  Or at least customers who wrote to the company thought I had done a good job.

  These come unpainted so first thing I did was prime them in a flat black.  A quick dry brushing  of grays and Light tan and presto!  Ready for the table top.

  In New England stone walls are everywhere.  It's a very rocky geologic area.  Farmers will tell you there are two harvests each year. In the spring you get rocks.  In the fall you get more rocks and sometimes a few vegetables.  What do you do with all those rocks?  Build walls!  You line the road in front of your house with them.  Otherwise in wet weather horses and wagons looking for good traction come up on your property. Soon your front yard is now part of the riad!   You build walls to mark your land boundaries. France make good neighbors.   You wall in your crops to protect them from the wondering animals.  Walls are everywhere and super useful both in real life and on the table top.

St. David's Day

   1st March 1775;  This being St. David's Day the officers of the 23rd Regiment, or Royal Welch Fusiliers, dinned together according to the custom.  All the General & Staff Officers, the Admiral, and several other person's were invited to dine with the Regiment...."
From the diary of Lieutenant Frederick MacKenzie.

   The "custom" was on each Saint David's Day following dinner the regimental goat with the drummers and fifers are led around the mess table.  The drum major has a silver plate with raw leeks and the mess sergeant carries a loving cup filled with champagne. They halt by the newest joined officer who then stands on his chair with his left foot and places his right foot on the table and eats a leek while the drummers play a continuous roll.  Once he has consumed the leek he is handed the loving cup and before drinking toasts "And Saint David!"  All present who have not eaten a leek, including guests are expected to do so. Similar ceremonies occurs in the sergeants and the other ranks mess.  This custom, described as "ancient" in 1775  is still observed in peace and during war time up to the present time.